Fusion power developer Zap Energy, based near Seattle, has begun operations of Century, its first fully-integrated demonstration of three major plant-relevant technologies operating at up to 100 kilowatts of input power.

The manufacture of the first of five vacuum vessel sectors under the responsibility of Fusion for Energy (F4E) - the ITER Organisation's European domestic agency - has now been completed in Italy. The component is set to be delivered to the construction site of the tokamak fusion device in Cadarache, France.

The UK's Tokamak Energy has set up TE Magnetics as it seeks to commercialise its high temperature superconducting magnet technology for both fusion and non-fusion applications.

The UK Fusion Skills Council - created by a partnership between the UK Atomic Energy Authority and 19 companies and academic institutions - aims to boost apprentices, graduates and post-graduate training opportunities.

Canadian Nuclear Laboratories and Business Development Bank of Canada have announced a lead investment of CAD10 million (USD7.3 million) each in Canadian private fusion developer General Fusion. Meanwhile, the US Department of Energy has awarded USD4.6 million in 17 awards to fund public-private partnerships for fusion research.


 

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and Japan's National Institutes for Quantum Science and Technology have completed the production of a prototype outer vertical target, one of the key components of the divertor to be used in the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor. MHI said it is now ready for series production.

British inertial fusion energy developer First Light Fusion has hosted a delegation from the Japanese government, headed by State Minister Soichiro Imaeda from the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology. The visit comes as the UK and Japan seek closer collaboration on commercial fusion energy research.

The Global Fusion Industry in 2024 report says that more than USD900 million has been invested in the fusion industry in the past year, and more than 1000 jobs created.

Commonwealth Fusion Systems has delivered two high-tech superconducting magnets to a University of Wisconsin experiment on magnetic mirror fusion technology. The magnets are the first products shipped as part of the company's strategy to build magnets not just for its own power plants but also for other promising applications.

US fusion energy developer Type One Energy has selected Canadian engineering firm AtkinsRéalis to develop the pre-concept design for its Fusion Pilot Plant, which will use stellarator technology to demonstrate its potential to generate clean, safe and affordable power from fusion energy.

The revamped project plan for the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor aims for "a scientifically and technically robust initial phase of operations, including deuterium-deuterium fusion operation in 2035 followed by full magnetic energy and plasma current operation".

Canada’s national nuclear laboratory has unveiled its fusion roadmap report and announced plans to expand two of its flagship clean energy programmes encompass fusion technologies and accelerate fusion deployment in Canada.